Page:Cross of Christ, the Christian's glory (2).pdf/8

8 mitre of the high-prieſt, H L.———And oh! what a motive is the Croſs of Chriſt to the exerciſe of every virtue! He died; my Lord, my Judge, my king, died; to redeem me from all iniquity, and make me zealous of good works. How powerfully, far beyond any naked inſtructions, er abſtract reaſonings, do ſuch confiderations invite us, urge us, conſtrain us, to renounce all ungodlineſs, and adorn the goſpel of God our Saviour!

Another bleſſing is victory over death.———This alſo is the fruit of that once deteſted, but now ever beloved tree. For thus it is written, That, through death, he might deſtroy him that had the power of death that is the devil; and deliver them who, through fear of death, were all their life-time ſubject to bondage. The devil is ſaid to have the power of death: becauſe, by tempting too ſucceſsfully our firſt parents, he brought death into the world; becauſe, by tempting their poſterity to ſin, and too often prevailing, he arrays death in horror; he arms death with its ſling. But Chriſt, by expiating our guilt, has diſarmed this laſt enemy; has taken away its ſting; and made it not loſs, but gain to die.—The gay, and the healthy, know nor how to form an eſtimate of this deliverance: nor can any words of mine deſcribe it with proper energy. Go to dying beds; there you will learn its true worth. Aſk ſome agonizing friend; he, and he alone, can tell you, what a bleſſing it is, to have the king of terrors converted into a meſſenger of peace.

One bleſſing more I would mention, and earneſtly wiſh it, in due time all my hearers; an entrance into heaven. This too is the produce of our Redeemer’s Croſs. St John ſaw a bright aſſembly of happy beings, clothed with white robes, and palms